Printing apparatus



Jan. 16, 1940. E. KOMUSIN PRINTING APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 l l [I liq ll/ll if; a:

"HZ-Z.

Jan. 16, 1940. E. KOMUSIN 2,187,456

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1938 l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llYVENTOA? [may lfolvasm By g f f IVE/S Jan. 16, 1940. KOMUSIN 2,187,456'

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed March- 22, 1938 v 12 Sheets-Shet s Jan. 16, 1940. E, KOMUSIN PRINTING APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 16, 1940. E. KOMUSIN PRINTING APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1958 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 a f f 2 flwcwrole. [IF/CH Xmas/1v BY g (6 Arm IVEYS Jan. 16, 1940. E. KOMUSIN 2,187,456

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 S) (We/y fnnm'rok iklcu AoMusm Jan. 16, 1940. E. KOMUSIN 2,187,456

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed llax ch 22, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR [me/1 Aomusm/ Jan. 16, 1940. E. KOMUSIN 2,187,456

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1958 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 OENEYG Jan. 16, 1940. E. KOMUSlN PRINTING APPARATUS l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed March 22, 1938 wx u [RICH Xmas/1v Jan. 16, 1940. E. KoMusm PRINTING APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 mu /l Jan. 16, 1940. E. KOMUSIN 2,137,455

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 [/mswro/z [may A/OMUSIN A1 0 an IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIl/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII II/I/II Patented Jan. 16, 1940 PRINTING APPARATUS Erich Komusin, Franki'ort-on-the-Main, Germany, assignor to Teleionbau und Normalzelt G. m. b. 11., Frankiort-on-the-Main, Germany, a corporation 01' Germany Application March 22, 1938, Serial No. 197,343 In Germany March 22, 1937 59 Claim.

This invention relates to apparatus for printing monetary amounts.

Apparatus of this kind is frequently used for franking letters by making impressions on them which take the place of the usual postage stamps. Such apparatus can, oi course, only be used by arrangement with the proper authorities e. g. the post oilice and, in order to safeguard the authorities interests, the apparatus must be such 1 that when the aggregate value of the impressions made reaches a pre-determined figure, it becomes unusable until re-set, the resetting being eiiected by the authorities on payment of the appropriate amount. In devices of this kind. which have previously been proposed, the setting to the predetermined flgure involves the insertion into the apparatus of a special card, ticket, token or the likeor the use of special keys.

According to the present invention the apparatus is set for use by means which can be actuated to set a locking device which is itself connected to a metering mechanism registering the aggregate value of the impressions made. The setting means are such that they can only alter the setting of the locking device when moved from a normal or zero-position. Any other movement of the setting means is ineffective to alter the setting of the locking device. With such an arrangement, the use of special keys or the insertion of special cards, tickets or tokens is made unnecessary and a general simplification is effected.

The apparatus inaccordance with the invention is not restricted to use as a franking device. It may be used instead or as well for the printing of cheque amounts particularly the amounts of cheques which in many countries can be drawn on a post office account. Where the apparatus is used for a dual or multiple purpose, it is preferably provided with a number of meters which are brought selectively into use to record the aggregate value of the different kinds of impressions made. It is also, in any case, useful to have an indicator which shows the amount of 4:) the last pre-payment, i. e. the additional amount for which the apparatus was last set and an indicator which shows at any time the amount up to which impressions can still be made before a re-setting becomes necessary. to The construction and operation of an apparatus in accordancawith the invention and of a number of modifications which can usefully be made ,will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichz Figure 1 is a sectional plan of the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a front elevation.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line III-III in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic section taken on the 6 line IV--IV in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation.

Figures 6, 7a and 7b are sections through the drum on which the type carrying members are mounted. 10

Figures 8a and 8b are fragmentary sections showing the parts provided for holding the type carrying members in a set position and for releasing them ior being set.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section showing the 15 meter actuating mechanism.

Figure 10 is a cross-section on the line X--X in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is an elevation partly in section of a meter driven by the actuating mechanism of 20 Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a section through a counting wheel of the meter of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is an elevation of an alternative form of counting wheel for the meter of Figure 11. 25

Figure 14 is an elevation of a meter for counting the number of impressions made.

Figure 15 illustrates diagrammatically the actuating and control mechanism for the meter ofFigure 14. 90

Figure 16 is a section taken on the line XVI- XVI in Figure 1.

Figure 17 is a section taken on the line XVII- XVII in Figure 2.

Figures 18, 19, 20a and 2% illustrate diagrammatically the arrangement and operation of the parts used for locking and releasing the apparatus.

Figure 21 is a fragmentary section showing the parts used in setting the apparatus for use. 40

Figure 22 is a section on the line XIHI-XIUI in Figure 21.

Figure 23 is an elevation of Figure 22 as seen on the line XXIIL-XXIII.

Figures 240., b, c are fragmentary views to a 46 larger scale showing in different operating positions certain parts shown in Figures 21 and 22.

Figures 25 and 26 are iront elevations of two indicators shownin Figure 21. t

Figure 27 is a cross-section through a modified '69 form of the drum shown in Figure 6.

Figure 28 is a side elevation of Figure 27.

Figure 29 is a sectional elevation 01' a modification showing a different arrangement for setting the type carrying members. u

. Figures 37-40 show alternative forms. of the I mechanism for locking the apparatus.

The whole mechanism is mounted in a frame having a pair of side plates I, 2 and an end plate 235. The frame is enclosed in a casing 3, one side 3a of which is removable. A drum 5 (Figures 2 and 4) which will he referred to as the printing drum, is carried in the frame on a spindle 4 and has removable printing blocks arranged round. its periphery. This drum acts as the driving member for the various other parts of the mechanism when the device is rolled on the drum over the sheet or the like on which matter is to be printed.

Figures 6 to 8 show the parts arranged within the printing drum. These parts comprise es'sentially two printing devices Ill and i3 and an'" integrating mechanism or meter 55.

The printing'device l0 comprises three discs which are mounted for rotation independently of each other on a spindle H carried by a pair of rails l2 fixed to theside plates 1 and 8 of the drum. These discs can be set by hand and in the present example serve for printing dates.

The printing device l3 comprises four discs I6-l9 which are mounted on a spindle l5 carried by a pair of rails l4, fixed to the end plates 1 and 8-01 the printing drum. These four discs are connected through suitable gearing to four gear wheels 44-41 (Figures 7a and 1b) so that they can be set in any angular position independently of each other. For this purpose they are carried by independent hollow shafts and are connected through those hollow shafts each to a different one of four gear wheels 2l-24 also mounted on the spindle l5. The disc I6 is connected to the gear wheel 22 the disc l1 to the wheel 2I the disc It to the wheel 24 and the disc l9 to the wheel 23. The gear wheels 2| to 24 are connected to the gear wheels 44 to 41 through further gear wheels mounted on a pair of pins 32 fixed to the rails" carried by the end plates 1 and 8 of the drum as shown in Figure 7a. The gear wheel 2| meshes with a wheel '26 which is integral with a bevel wheel-33 meshing with a bevel wheel 31 on the end of a hollow shaft carr ing the gear wheel 455 the gear wheel 22" sim l rly meshes wi h a wheel which is integral with a bevel wheel meshing with a bevel wheel 38 on the shaft 4 which carries the gear wheel 44; the gear wheel 23 meshes with a wheel 21 which is integral with a' bevel 36 meshing with a bevel wheel 40 on a hollow shaft carrying the gear wheel 41; the wheel 24 meshes with a wheel 28 which is integral with a bevel wheel 35 meshing with a bevel wheel 39 on a hollow shaft carrying the gear wheel .46. The wheels 44-41 are outside the drum 5 and can be rotated independently of each other, as will be explained later on, so as to set the discs Iii-l8 in any desired angular position.

The discs l5-l9 in the present example are used to print figures indicating monetary amounts, for example, the disc 19 prints units,

I649 has fixed to it a star wheel I511, the rota tion of which is resisted by a forked member 45 engaging over the spindle l5 and having a notch 53 in it of the same shape as the points of the star. This fork is pulled into engagement with the star wheel by a spring 52. In order to rotate a disc and its star wheel l5a, the fork has to be lifted against the pull of its spring. In the position shown in Figure 8a this cannot be done because the pin 5| on the fork 48, although lying in the hole in'the plate 8, abuts against a cover plate 54. The plate 54 is fixed and if the print-' ing drum 5 is rotated, there will be a position in which the pin 5| will come, opposite the slot 5la in the plate as shown in Figure 2 so that the fork 48 can be lifted as shown in Figure 8b. The disc I 5 and its star wheel 16a can then be turned and their position be accurately and automatically adjusted by the return of the fork and the engagement of the notch 54 over a point of the star wheel.

It is important to note that there is only one position of the drum in which the discs l5-l9 can be rotated and that in all other positions,

including thosein which a printing operation takes place, the discs are locked against rotation.

A somewhat similar arrangement can be used for aligning the numerals on the discs of the date printing mechanism l0 although, in this case, it is not necessary that the discs should book number and a page number, such as B274 S16 and such as would be necessary on each page of the postal cheque books used in various" foreign countries. For printing the page numbers, there are two numeral discs 58 and 59 and a letter disc '60 all arranged on a spindle 51 mounted in the side plates 1 and 8 of the printing drum. For printing the book numbers, there are three numeral discs til-G3 and a letter disc 54 also arranged on the spindle 51. .The spindle 51 at its outer end, beyond the side plate 8, has

fixed to it a ratchet wheel 55 and a star wheel 55a dle 51 is not being driven, the nose 5B of a pawl 55 86 pivoted at 59 toa side plate of the printing [drum is engaged between the teeth of the star wheel 5a. It is urged into engagement by a spring 1| and by the arm 14 of a lever 12 pivoted at 13 to a side plate of the printing drum and pulled against a stop by a spring 11. The lever 12 has pivoted to it a pawl 15 which is urged into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 55 by means of a spring 18. In order that the spindle 51 may he stepped when the printing 15 i drum is rotated in the direction of .the arrow shown in Figure 28, the lever 8| is first of all swung against the action of its spring 84 into the position shown in dotted lines. (The manner in which this is effected will be explained later on.) When the drum is sorotated, the tall 61 of the pawl 66 first of all abuts against the turned over end 8Ia of the lever 8| so that its nose 68 comes out of engagement with the star wheel 65a. The lever 12 is thus turned against the action of its spring 11 so that the pawl 16 drives the shaft 51 through a small angle. As the rotationof the drum 5 is cont nued, the pawl 66 comes clear of the end 8Ia of the lever 8| and the parts resume the relative positions shown in Figure 28.

At each step made by the shaft 51, the disc 58 (Figure 14) is rotated so that the next numeral on it is brought into the printing position. The disc 59 is connected to the d sc 58 through an appropriate form of tens transfer mechanism not shown in the drawings so that the disc 59 and the disc 68 fixed to it are stepped through one step at the end of each complete revolution of the disc 58.

The disc 6| is driven from the disc 58 or from the disc 59 through an appropriate mechanism not shown. The disc 6| makes one step, i. e., is turned so as to bring the next numeral on it into the printing position, after as many steps of the disc 58 as there are pages in the book in question. If, for example, there are 58 pages in the book, the disc 6| is stepped through one step on the completion of five complete rotations of the disc 58 or of half a revolution of the dsc 59. The disc 59 in the example under consideration would be given two series of numerals -5 and could be connected to the disc 6| through a pair of cams disposed at 188 to each other. The discs 6|, 62 and 63 are connected by tens transfer mechanisms which are not illustrated. It is, of course clear, that although in the arrangement shown,

,there are only two sets of discs, a great number could be provided if required for any particular purpose. I

Foursetting levers 98 to IM (Figures 1 and 2) are provided for setting thediscs |6-I9 of the printing device I3. The lever 98 controls the units disc I9, the lever 99 the tens disc I8, the lever I88 the hundreds disc I1 and the lever IN the thousands disc I8. These levers are mounted on hollow shafts for independent rotation on a pin 94 carried by a lever I83 pivoted to the frame at 95 (Figure '3). Each of these hollow shafts carries one of a set of toothed wheels 86-89 and one of a set of toothed wheels 98-93. The lever I83 is held by a spring I I8, in the position shown in Figure 3, except when the setting of the discs I6-I9 is to be altered. that is to say, so that the wheels 86-89 and 98-93 are out of engagement respectively with the wheels 44-41 and a set of wheels |36-I39 mounted on the spindle I26. The lever I83 can be turned on its pivot to an extent determined by a pin I85 on the casing which projects into the slot 96.

Figure 3 shows the relative position assumed by the various parts after a printing operation has taken place and in which posit on the setting of the discs l6-I9 can be altered. It will be seen that the projection I84 on the lever I83 is opposite the notch I81 in the disc I86 fixed to the spindle I26. In this position, the lever I83 can be swung so as to bring the wheels 98-93 into engagement with the wheels I36-I39 and the wheels 86-89 into engagement with the.

wheels 44-41. This movement of the lever I83 is eflected by turning the shaft I88 by means of the lever I88 (Figure 2). When the shaft I89 is so turned, the lever |88a within the casing forces the lever I83 to the right to the extent allowed by the pin I85 in the slot 96 against the action of the spring I I8. At the same time, it brings the wheels 86-89 out of engagement with the teeth on the end of a set of levers 85 (Figure 2) which up till now have been held by the spring 85a in such a position that the arms 98-I8I could not be displaced. When the lever I83 is swung over, the arm 85 rests against the stop 85b. The discs I 6-I9 can now be set in any desired angular positions. This is done by setting the levers 98 to |8| on to the appropriate numerals on the plate I82 (Figure 2) which are visible through apertures in the levers. Thus, for example, by setting the lever 98 to the numeral 5, one of the wheels 86 to 89 is turned and turns the disc I9 associated with it through one of the wheels 44 to 41 and the connecting gearing shown in Figures 6 and '7.

It is important to note that the arms 98 to |8I can only be moved when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 3, that is to say, when the projection I84 is opposite the notch I81 in the d sc I86. This is the position assumed after printing has taken place. No movement of the arms 98-I8I or of the discs l6-I9 can be effected while the drum is being rotated for causing a printing operation to be effected by the device I3.

An integrating mechanism or meter I9| is provided for indicating the total of the values printed by the printing device I 3. Its disposition relatively to the other parts is illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4 and it is itself illustrated in Figure 11. It is driven by a drum I 25 on the spindle I26 which is' itself driven by the printing drum 5 through the wheels 9 and I21 (Figure 4). The drum I25 can rotate only in one sense, backward movement being prevented by a pawl 266 which is urged by a spring 265 into engagement with ratchet teeth 261 on the end of the drum.

As seen in Figure 9, the drum I25 is made up of four compartments or sections I29. One

of these sections is fixed to the spindle I26 and the others are connected to it by a pair of pins I43 (Figures 9 and 18) so that the composite drum I25 can be rotated as a whole. the compartments contains a cam disc I 34 having slots as shown in Figure for the passage of the pins I43. Each cam disc is connected through a hollow shaft to one of the wheels l36-I39 meshing with the wheels 98-93. In this way, rotation of the discs |6-I9 of the printing mechanism I3 results in 3. corresponding rotation of the cam discs I34. Each'of the discs I34 has a cam groove I35 in it as shown in Figure 10 and each of the sections I29-of the drum I has a series of 9 pins I 32 projecting through holes I3I in its periphery. ,These pins have lugs I33 which are engaged in the cam groove I35. Undue rotation of the cams I34 relatively to the drum sections I29 which house them is prevented by means of springs I 48 hair ing ball ends |4| which engage in suitable depressions I42 formed in the sections I29. I The sets of pins I32 in the various sections are arranged in different angular positions round the spindle I26, no one set lying above or overlapping another set. The cam groove I has two circular portions of different radii connected by a sloping portion. It will be seen that according to the angular position of a cam I34 relatively to the spindle I26, 9. different number Each of made to form a gearwheel sector having four teeth. The number of pins which project from a section I29 thus depends upon the setting of one of the discs I6I9 which itself depends upon the setting of one of the levers 98 to IOI in Figure 2. Thus, the lever 98 being set to the numeral 5 on the scale I02 causes the disc I9 to be set to the numeral 5 and five pins I32 to project from the uppermost casing I29; the lever 99 being set to the numeral 2 causes the disc I9 to be set to the numeral 2, and two pins I32 to project from the second casing I29 from the top of Figure 9, and so on.

The construction of the meter I9I is shown in Figures 11 and 12. This meter has a spindle I88 which carries a number of counting wheels I14-I18 on which the yarious digits are registered. Each of the wheels I14--I11 is connected to one of the pinions I19I82 through which they can be driven. The wheel I14 drives a pinion I83 which steps a pinion I13 through I are first brought into engagement with the pin-' one step at each revolution of the wheel I14. This pinion I13 is fixed to a disc I10 (Figure 12) having a pair of pawls I1I engaging in internal ratchet teeth in the fiange I12 of the counting wheel I15. The wheel I15 can therefore be rotated independently by the pinion I13 and by the pinion I80. The counting wheels I18 and I11 are constructed and arranged similarly to the wheel I15, each being stepped through one step at each complete revolution of the preceding wheel by the pinions I94 and I85.

When the drum I25 is rotated, the pins I32 which project fromit' are brought into driving engagement with the pinions I19-I92. The pins I32 projecting from the uppermost casing I29 ion I19. The pins from the second casing I29 are then brought into engagement with the pinion I80 and so on; In this way, the counting wheel I14 which is. attached to the pinion I19 is stepped through a number of steps corresponding to the number of pins I32 projecting from the uppermost casing I29, i. e., to the numeral to which the disc I9 or the lever 99 is set and when it completes one, revolution, it steps the wheel I15 on through one step as described above. When, after actuation of the pinion I19, the pinion I80- is driven by the pins I32 associated with it, the wheel I15 is further rotated through a number of steps corresponding to the setting of the disc I8 or the lever 99 and on completing one revolution steps the wheel I18 on through one step. The wheel I16 is subsequently stepped in a similar manner by the pins associated with the pinion I8I and the wheel I11 by the pins I32 associated with the pinion I92. In this way, the various counting wheels of the meter I9I are stepped at each revolution of the drum 5 through amounts corresponding to the setting ofthe discs I6--I9.

The arrangement described above is appropriate to the case in which the amounts indicated by the discs I6 to I9 I currency system, each of those discs and the discs of the meter bearing numerals -9. It may, however, be that the lowest unit of value, that is to say, the value indicated by the disc I9, is represented by for example, a cent or a halfare based on a purely decimal penny. In that case, the wheel I 14 instead of bearing numerals 0 to 9 as shown in Figure 11 could, as shown in Figure 13, bear alternately the markings 0, 0, /z, The transfer mechanism I13, I83 would, in that case, have to be actuated not once in every revolution of the wheel I14 but five times. This can be done by providing the wheel I14 with five pins I90 as shown in Figure 13. Of course, any or all of the wheels I 14I11 might have nun'ierals other than 0 9 on them according to requirements. For example they might be marked 0, 5, 0, 5, 0, 50, 0, 50, and so on.

The integrator or meter I9I has already mentioned, serves to sum up the values printed by the discs I6-I9. If these discs are used at times for making different kinds of impressions, it may be useful for the values of the different kinds of impressions to be metered separately. In the arrangement illustrated here, there are two meters I50, I52 (Figures 1, 3 and 4) for this purpose, the meter I52 serving to sum up the value of all impressions made when the device is used as a letter franking machine and the meter I50 to sum up the value of all impressions made when the device is used as a cheque printer.

The two meters I50, I52 are mounted on a block I46 which can turn about a spindle I45 so as to bring one or the other of them into a position in which it can be rotated by the teeth I32 of the drum I25. The meters are swung into and out of engagement by a lever I54 mounted on a spindle I51 and controlled by an arm I59 on a shaft I60. This shaft projects out of the casing and is provided at its outer end with a handle I6I (Figure This handle can be moved between a pair of stops I62, I63, so that the arm I59 acts on one or the other of the horns I58 on the lever I54 between which it lies. The drum I25 has an annular rib I5I (Figure 4) projecting from it in which there are two gaps. The lever I 54 has two pins I64, I65. projecting from it and. can only be turned about its pivotal axis if these pins are opposite the gaps in the rib I5I. In the position shown in Figure 4, the

postage meter I52 is in engagement and the relative positions of the pins I64, I65 and the gaps in the rib I5I are such that the other meter can be swung into operation instead. When the lever I54 is swung clockwise (Figure' i), a horn I56 on it turns the block I46 and gradually comes out of the space between the spindle of the meter I52 and a pin I49 on the block while a similar horn I55. gradually enters the space between the spindle of the meter I50 and a pin I48 on the block. One 'of the pins I64, I65 always lies inside the rib I5I so that there is only one angular position of the drum I25 in which one meter can be disengaged and theother engaged. Also, when both meters are disengaged, the pins I64, I65 will be in the gaps in the rib I5I and preclude rotation of the drum I25 and therefore of the printing drum 5.

Two further meters are providedthe meter I96; which registers the number of postage impressions rnade by the discs Iii-I9 and. the meter I 91 which registers the number of cheque impressions made by those discs.

and 1'1). The meter I96 has a crank 200 fixed to its spindle and the meter I91 a similar crank 20I. These cranks are provided at their free ends with crank pins 200a. For actuating the meters two levers 203, 204, are provided. They are pivotally mounted at 202 on a lever 293 These meters are mounted on a spindle 219 (Figures 1, 3, 15

mounted to swing on a shaft 295 and are urged down towards a pin 293a on the lever 293 by springs 205 so that their tails 203a, 204a are in the path of movement of the block I46 carrying the meters I50, I52. Figure 15 shows the meter I52 in engagement with the drum I25. When the latter is rotated, the pin I30 on it will cause the lever 293 to swing clockwise on its shaft 295. The front end of the lever 203 is thus caused to strike the pin 200a on the crank 200 and turn the latter and with it the postage meter I96. The front end of the lever 204, however, misses the pin 200a on the crank 20I so that the cheques meter I91 is not operated. If now the meter I50 is put into operation by swinging the block I46 clockwise, the tail 203a of the lever 203 will be pressed down and its forward end will rise into the position shown for the forward end of the lever 204 in Figure 15; also, the forward end of the lever 204 will be pressed down by the spring 205 against the stop 293a and will assume a position in which it is opposite the pin 200a on the crank 20L When now the drum I25 is rotated, it is the meter I91 which is operated instead of the meter I96. If neither of the meters I50, I52 is in proper engagement with the drum I25, both levers 203, 204, will miss the pins 200a on the associated cranks 200, 20I when the lever 293 is swung by the pin I30.

The meters I96, I91 must be prevented from being operated when the levers 98-IOI are set to zero so that the discs I6I9 make no effective impression. A simple device isprovided for that purpose. Each of the wheels 86-89 (which are connected individually to the levers 98--I0 I) has a notch 86a89a (Figure 15) in its periphery. When the levers 98--IOI are set to zero these notches are all in line and a roller 209 on a lever 208 loaded by a spring 2I0 lies in them. In this position of the lever 208, the bell crank 206 is held by the cranked arm 208a (Figure 17) out of the position shown in Figure 15 so that the shelf 201 projecting from it lifts the levers 203, 204 so that they cannot strike the pins 200013. If any one of the'levers 98--IOI is moved out of the zero position, the lever 208 resumes the position shown in Figure 15 and the bell-crank 206 swings clockwise so that one or the other of the levers 203, 204 again becomes effective for operating the meter associated with it.

When the levers 98IOI are set to zero the meter 55 must also be prevented from being actuated. As was explained in connection with Figure 28, the meter 55 is only actuated when the lever 8| is swung from the position shown in full lines in that figure to the position shown in dotted lines against the action of the spring 84. It will be seen from Figure 15 that the lever 8I is only brought by the levers 203 and 204 into the effective position for operating the meter 55 when one of these levers is in its lowest position i. e. in the position in which it can actuate the meter I91.

For preventing over-running of the printing drum 5, a lever 280 (Figures 16-20) is provided which is pivotally mounted on a pin 285 in a bracket 284 and the end 28I of which is pressed against a side Wall of the drum 5 by a torsion spring 283. Rotation of the drum is stopped when the end 28I enters the hole 291 in its side wall.

The devices provided for bringing the lever 280 into and out of action are mounted on the spindle 219. These parts include a press-button 218 (Figures 18 and 19) the shank 289 of which bears against a disc 288 mounted to slide along the spindle 219. The latter also has fixed to it a lever 29I connected to the disc 288 by a pin 281 and separated from it by a spring 288. A spring 298 (Figure 16) normally holds the lever 29I pressed against the off-set end 282 of the lever 280 as shown in Figure 18. If the press-button 218 is pressed in, the disc 288 moves to the right into the position shown in Figure 19 and swings the lever 280 so that the end 28I of that lever comes out of the hole 291 and releases the drum 5 for rotation. Also, the end 282 of the lever moves past the lever 29I so that the latter is turned by its spring 298 and now prevents the return of the lever 280 by the spring 283 into the position shown in Figure 18 by the spring 283.

The lever 280 is released so that it can again lock the drum 5, by the lever 293 (Figures 15 and 16). When the lever 293 is swung by the pin I30 as already described, it swings the lever 29I against the action of the spring 298. The spindle 219 is thus turned so as to bring a notch 290 (Figure 20a) in the disc 286 opposite the lever 280. As the lever 29I has been brought clear of the end 282 of the lever 280, the latter can now be swung by its spring 283 and pass through the notch 290 so that its end 28I bears against the side wall of the drum 5 and can engage in the hole 291 and prevent further rotation of the drum (Figure 18). The pin I30 holds the lever 293 in a position in which the notch 290 is opposite the lever 280 until the latter has again locked the drum 5. Repeated actuation of the pressbutton during rotation of the drum 5 is therefore quite ineffective. The drum 5 will always be locked by the lever 280 when it has completed one revolution even if the press-button is held pressed in throughout the rotation of the drum. The apparatus is set so that when the total value of the impressions made with it reaches a certain figure, it becomes inoperative. It may for example be set for $50. In that case, it re-- mains operative until postage and cheque impressions have been made to a total value of $50 when, if it is to be further used, it must be set again for a further amount. The mechanism and parts provided for this purpose will now be described with particular reference to Figure 21. There are two indicators. One of these, the indicator 224a (Figures 21 and 25), shows the amount up to which impressions can still be made. It is moved at each impression by the meter I9I. It will be referred to as the cash balance indicator. The other indicator, the indicator 233 (Figures 21 and 26) shows the amount of the last pre-payment. It is only moved when a new pre-payment is made. When a pre-payment is made the two indicators are set through a setting knob 238. When the cash balance is reduced to zero, the whole device, as already indicated must be made inoperative until re-set. For this purpose, a disc 224 (Figures 16, 20b and 21) is provided which will be referred to as the locking disc. Those are the essential parts of the mechanism the details of which will now be described The cash balance indicator 224a and the locking disc 224 are mounted to rotate with the same spindle 2I3 journalled in the flanges 2, 2| 2 of the end plate 235. This spindle can be driven either by the meter I9I or by the setting knob 238 according to the setting of a sliding clutch 2I8. This clutch has two sets of teeth 2I8, 2I9 and is connected to the shaft 2I3 through a pin and slot connection 2I5, 2| 1. In the position shown in Figure 21, the teeth 2I9 are in engagement with the teeth 220 on a pinion 223 mounted for rotation about the spindle 2I3 and meshing with the pinion I93 of the meter I9I. The spindle 2I3 and therefore the cash balance indicator 224a and the locking disc 224 can therefore be driven by the meter 191. At its right hand end, the spindle 213 has, mounted to rotate on it, a pinion 222 having a set of teeth 221 into engagement with which the teeth 218 of the clutch 216 can be brought by swinging the clutch lever 243. This pinion 222 meshes with a pinion 221 fixed to the spindle 229 of the prepayment indicator 233 which carries another pinion 230 serving to drive a meter 231 which records the sum of the various pre-payments. The spindle 236 of the setting knob 238 has a bevel wheel 231 fixed to it which meshes with a bevel wheel 228 on the spindle 229. Thus when the clutch 216 is engaged to the right (Figure 21), the spindle 213 and therefore the cash balance indicator 224a and the locking disc 224 are disconnected from the meter 191 but are in driving connection with the knob 238 as are also the pre-payment indicator 233 and the meter 231.

The setting spindle 236 has an arm 239 (Figures 21, 22, 23) fixed to it and has also freely mounted on it a spring arm 240 terminating in a pin 241 which can be inserted in any one of a series of 15 holes 241a (Figure 22) surrounding a ring of numerals 242. The pin 241 serves as an abutment for the arm 239 so that the knob 238 can be turned positively through a pre-determined angle.

The clutch lever 243 in its two engagement positions lies in one or the other of a pair of notches 244a, 244b (Figure 23) in the plate 235. It has to be prevented from being operated except when the printing drum is in a particular position and when the pre-payment indicator is in a particular position, namely the zero position. For this purpose, the actuating drum 125 is provided with an opening 41 in its side wall (Figure 16) into which the nose 246 of the lever 243 (Figure 1'7) can be engaged when the printing drum 5 is in its normal starting position. In all other positions of the drum, the lever 243 cannot be moved out of the position shown in Figure 21. Also, the setting spindle 236 has a disc 241 (Figure 21) fixed to it in the periphery of which there is a notch 248 (Figures 24a, 1;, and c). A lever 249 pivoted to the plate 235 carries a pin 250 which lies on the circumference of the disc 241. This lever also has pivoted to it a lever 251 through which the pin 250 is held on the disc 241 by a spring 252. When the setting knob 238 or its spindle 236 or the pre-payment indicator 233 is in the zero position, the roller 250 lies in the notch 248( Figure 240). When these parts are out of the zero position, the roller 250 is out of the notch 248 (Figure 240). The lever 251 then prevents the lever 243 from being swung out of the position shown in Figure 21. If the lever 243 were in the opposite position to that shown in Figure 21 when the roller 250 engages in the notch 248 (Figure 24b) then it can be swung back into the position of Figure 21 against the action of the spring 252 so that the state of affairs depicted in Figure 24c is again reached.

Pre-payment is made to an exact number of units for example pounds, dollars, tens of marks, hundreds of francs and so on. According to the unit, the pinion 223 on the spindle 213 will be arranged to mesh with one or another of the pinions of the meter 191 associated with the disc indicating that unit. In the example illustrated here, it meshes with the pinion 193 which is associated with the disc indicating hundreds of marks. By inserting the pin 241 in one of the holes 241a (Figure 22) and correspondingly rotating the setting knob 238, the device is set for a number of hundred of marks equal to the number associated with that hole. Thus with the pin 241 in the hole 241a bearing the number 15, the device is set for printing up to a total value of 1500 units; with the pin 241 in the hole bearing the number 5, the device is set to 500 units and so on. In this case, the pre-payment indicator can as shown in Figure 26 have an index mark 232 moving over a circular scale 234 calibrated in hundreds from -1500. Also, the cash balance indicator can, as shown in Figure 25, have a ring of numbers 225 from 0 to 15, one of which is visible through a window 226 beside which the two terminal noughts of the amount are permanently marked.

To set the device, the drums and 125 must therefore first be brought into their starting positions and the setting knob 238 and the pre-payment indicator into their zero positions. The lever 243 is then swung from the notch 244a into the notch 2441) so that its nose 246 enters the opening 241 in the drum 125 and locks the latter. The lever 243 thus disengages the teeth 219, 2211 and engages the teeth 218, 221. The pin 241 is then inserted in the appropriate hole 241a and the knob 238 rotated. The meter 231 is thus rotated through the gearing 231, 228, 230 through a corresponding amount. The pre-payment indicator 233 is also correspondingly rotated. The shaft 213 is also rotated through the gearing 231, 228, 221, 222, 221, 218 and the pin and slot connection 215, 211. The locking disc 224 and the cash balance indicator 224a are thus turned through amounts corresponding to the pre-payment. It is to be noted that this rotation of the discs 224 and 224a is eifected from the positions they happened to be in which are dependent upon the amount of a previous pre-payment which has not yet been used up. The indicator 224a thus indicates the sum of any residual amount and the new amount for which the device is being set and at any time indicates the total value of the impressions which can still be made.

As the disc 241 is rotated with the knob 238, the position of Figure 241) is now reached. In order to put the printing device into operation, the clutch lever 243 has now to be put back into the position shown in Figure 21. In being so moved, it slides over the lever 251 into the position shown in Figure 240 in which the spring 252 swings the lever 251 so as to lock the clutch lever in its new position. The drum 125 is now unlocked and the shaft 213 is connected through the pinions 223, 193 to the meter 191 so that a further impression can be made and the cash balance indicator 224a be correspondingly altered. On the other hand, the pre-payment disc 233 and the setting knob 238 are disconnected from the other rotating parts of the device.

The pinion 193 in the present example is associated with the hundreds digit of the amount registered on the meter 191 and is stepped through one step whenever impressions are made to the value of 100 units. At each step, it rotates the shaft 213 and the cash balance indicator 224a and the locking disc 224 through one step backwards, that is to say in the opposite sense to that in which they were set by rotation of the knob 238. They are thus eventually brought back to the zero position in which the whole device becomes inoperative as will be explained in detail later on.

It is not necessary to wait until the cash halance is Zero before re-setting the device. For example, the cash balance indicator may be at the 200 unit mark when it is decided to have the device set for a further 500 units. The procedure is as follows:

The knob 238 is turned back to zero taking with it the pie-payment indicator 233. This does not cause the meter 23I to be actuated as the latter is connected to the spindle 229 through a oneway drive mechanism. The disc 241 is thus brought into the position of Figure 24a so that the pin 258 drops into the notch 248 and the lever 25I moves out of the position in which it blocks the lever 243. The latter is then moved over and the device is set in the manner indicated above. The pre-payment indicator 233 is thus set to 588 but the cash balance indicator 224a is set to the sum of the balance at the time the new setting was made and the amount of the new pre-payment-in the present case, 200+500=700.

To prevent rotation of the knob 238 in the wrong sense, the spindle 236 has an escapement wheel 253 fixed to it (Figures 22, 23). The balance lever 254 of this escapement wheel is pivotally mounted on the plate 235 and is acted upon by the spring 256 under the control of the lever 243. When the lever 243 is in the notch 224a, the lower nose 255 (Figure 23) of the lever 254 is in engagement with the wheel 253 and holds that wheel and the knob 238 against clockwise rotation; when the lever 243 is in the notch 244?), the upper nose 255 of the lever 254 is in engagement with the wheel 253 and holds the knob 238 against counterclockwise rotation.

The setting knob 238 and the clutch lever 243 are enclosed in a space bounded by the end plate 235 and a hinged lid 2'II (Figures 1 and 2). This lid has a pin 21Ia projecting inwardly from it which, when the lid is closed engages in a hole in the knob 238 and holds the latter against rotation. The lid also has an inwardly projecting lug 21Ib which will prevent closing of the lid unless the lever 243 is in the correct starting position i. e. in the notch 244a. The lid can be sealed in any convenient manner, for example by a wire and lead seal on the pins 21Ic (Figure 2).

As already mentioned, the spindle 2I3 carries a disc 224 which serves to make the device inoperative when the prepaid amount has been exhausted. It will be remembered that in the normal condition, that is to say, immediately before the device is operated to make an impression, the printing drum 5 is locked by the nose 28I of the lever 288 (Figures 18, 19). The drum 5 is unlocked by pressing the button 218 which can swing the lever 288 unless the lever is opposite the notch 298 (Figure 20a). Normally, the notch 298 is brought into the position shown in Figure 20a by the spring 298 (Figure 16) when the lever 29I is released by the lever 293. The function of the locking disc 224 is to prevent the spring 288 from turning the disc 286 when the prepaid amount has been exhausted. When that amount has been exhausted, the disc 224 by its progressive stepping by the meter I9I is brought into a position in which the notch 225 in it (Figure 20b) is opposite the hump 258 on the pivoted lever 251. The latter is therefore swung counterclockwise by its spring 259 so that the free end of the rod 26I pivoted to it is moved to the left (Figure 202)) through its bearing 262 and abuts against a lever 292 fixed to the spindle 219 to which the lever 29I is also fixed. The relative strengths of the springs 298 and 259 are such that the lever 29I cannot be moved so as to turn the notch 298 into the position shown in Figure 20a. The notch therefore remains opposite the lever 288 and actuation of the button 218 fails to have any effect on the lever 288 which remains in the position in which it looks the drum 5. The drum 5 cannot be unlocked until the locking disc 224 is moved again through the knob 238 when a fresh pre-payment is made.

If desired, the locking disc 224 can be arranged so that it is stepped by one of the meters I58, I52 50 that it locks the mechanism when the total value of the postage impressions or that of the cheque impressions reaches the prepaid amount.

The procedure followed and the sequence of operations when a postage impression is made will now be briefly described.

The printing d rum 5 is in its normal position and is therefore locked. The lever I6I is first swung into the position shown in Figure 5 so that the postage meter I 52 is made effective (Figure 4). The lever I88 (Figure 2) is then swung into the on position so that the lever I83 and the wheels 86-69 and 98-93 are swung clockwise. The wheels 86-89 are thus released from the locking lever 85 and engage with the wheels 44-41 of the postage printer I3; the wheels 98- 93 engage with the wheels I36-I39 of the actuating drum I25; and the projection I84 on the lever I83 enters the notch I81 in the disc I86. The printing drum 5 and the actuating drum I25 are now both locked.

The postage printer is now set by setting the levers 98'...-.I .0,I (Figure 2') though the wheels 86-89 and 44-41 and at the same time, a number of pins J32. corresponding to the setting of the levers 98-I8I is pushed out from each section of the drum I25 through the wheels 98-93 and I36-I39. The displacement of the wheels 86-89 causes the lever 288 Figures 15 and 17) to be turned against its spring 2I8 so that the stop lever 286 allows the lever 283 to come into the position shown in Figure 15 in which it can operate the postage meter. The lever I88 is then returned to the ofi" position so that the lever I83 and its associated parts resume the position shown in Figures 2 and 3.

To complete the preparation of the device for printing the amount set on the levers 98-I8I it is now only necessary to press the button 218 which releases the drum 5.

The printing is then effected by rolling the device on the drum 5 over the surface which is to receive the impression. During this rolling movement, three impressions are made-one from the printer I3 (postage impression) ,one from the printer I8 (date) and one from the meter i5 gserial, number). In addition, matter may be printed from blocks arranged on the periphery of the drum 5. An inking device 268, 269 (Figure 4) is provided for the various printing devices. Rotation of the drum 5 also causes the drum I25 to be driven through the wheels 8 and I21 so that the meter I52 is driven by the teeth I32. Also, the pin I38 on the drum I25 causes the lever 283 to actuate the meter I96 which registers the number of postage impressions.

When all the impressions have been made and all the meters have been actuated, the lever 288 (Figure 18) takes up a position in which it can engage in the opening 291 in the side wall of the drum 5 and engages therein on completion of one revolution of the drum. All the parts are now either locked or out of operative engagement and to re-set the device for a further impression, the button 218 has again to be pressed.

When the total value of the impressions made amounts to one hundred units, the drum I18 of the meter I9I is stepped up one. This stepping movement is transferred to the locking disc 224 and the cash balance indicator 224a through the pinions I93, 223 (Figures 11 and 21). Eventually, the total value of the impressions amounts to that for which the device is set. When that happens, the locking disc is in its locking position in which it allows the lever 251 (Figure 16) to engage in its notch 225 and to displace the rod 26I. When now the printing drum 5 reaches the starting position, the lever 280 looks it but this lever can not be moved out of the locking position because the disc 286 (Figure a) is in a position in which its notch 290 is opposite the lever 280. Actuation of the button 218 is therefore ineffective and remains ineffective until the device is set again against a new prepayment.

In some cases, it may be required to make two identical impressions, the value of only one of which is to be recorded on the meter. For example, when printing cheques, it may be required that the amount be printed on a strip which takes the place of the usual counterfoil. This second printing of the amount must not lead to the amount being metered a second time. The modifications which have to be made to the printing drum 5 are shown in Figures 27 and 28. The drum has to be of larger diameter than in the previous case to accommodate the extra printing devices. As illustrated, it has two date printing devices 3I0, two amount printing devices 3I3 and two meters 355. These devices correspond to the devices I0, I3 and 55 of the previously described arrangement both as regards construction and operation. The amount printing devices 3I3 are simultaneously and identically set through gearing similar to that shown in Figures 6-8.

During the first half rotation of the drum 300, an amount is to be printed and that amount metered; during the second half, the printing operation is to be repeated but the metering mechanism is to be out of action. To this end, the printing drum 300 is provided with a toothed segment 301 subtending an angle of 180 which gears with the toothed wheel 303 of the actuating drum I through an idler 304. The diameter of the wheel 303 is half that of the segment 30I so that the actuating drum I25 makes a full revolution during the first half revolution of the printing drum 300. During this first half revolution, the actuating drum I25 actuates the meter I or I52, whichever is engaged, and the meter I9I.

At the end of the first half revolution of the printing drum, the segment 30I comes out of engagement with the pinion 304 and on its second half revolution, the acuating drum I25 will not be driven and the meters will remain unactuated.

The printing drum 300 is provided over the half opposite to that in which the toothed segment 30I is provided with a semi-circular rib 302 which serves for the locking of the actuating drum I25 during the second half revolution of the printing drum. The actuating drum I 25 is provided with a groove 305 in which the rib 302 engages during the second half revolution of the printing drum. When the rib 302 leaves the groove 305, the segment 30I engages with the wheel 304.

When the actuating drum I25 has carried out its complete revolution, 1. e. at the end of the first half revolution of the drum 300, the notch I01 is opposite the nose I04 of the lever I03 (Figure 3), l. e. in the position in which, in the previously described form of construction. it was possible to alter the setting of the discs I6I9 through the levers 98-IOI. To make such alterations impossible at this stage, the drum 300 is provided with a projecting part 306 which, at the appropriate time prevents movement of the lever I 03 as shown in Figure 28. It is not until the drum 300 has made a complete revolution so that the part 306 is in the diametrically opposite position to that shown in Figure 28 that the printing mechanisms 3I3 can re-set.

The meter I96 and I91 (Figure 15) are actuated in the manner already described by means of a pin I30 on the actuating drum I25. Since this pin actuates the lever 293 only during the first half revolution of the drum 300, the meters I96, I91 are not actuated during the second half revolution.

The two printing meters 355 which serve to count the number of impressions must be actuated one during one half-revolution and the other during half-revolution. Each of these meters is provided with actuating and locking devices identical with those shown for the meter and no other special provision has to be made as the lever 8I remains in the position shown dotted in Figure 28 while the two meters move past it.

When, for example, the meter I91 (Figure 15) has been engaged, the lever 204 holds the lever 8I in the position shown dotted in Figure 28. During rotation of the drum 300, the pawl 61 strikes the lever 8| so that the driving wheel 65 is unlocked, the lever 12 is turned and the wheel 65 is driven by the pawl 16 i. e. one of the printing meters 355 is stepped on. The same operations are repeated during the second half revolution of the printing drum 300, when the pawl 61 of the second printing meter 355 strikes the lever 81.

When the roller 209 is again engaged in the notches 86a89a in the wheels 8689, the support provided for the lever 8I by the lever 203 or the lever 204 is removed because the latter levers are swung upwards by the lever 206. The spring 84 then swings the lever 8| clear of the pawls 61.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figures 29, 30 and 33, the wheels 86-89 (Figures 1, 3 and 17) are omitted, the setting levers 99-IOI carrying only the wheels 90-93. When the lever I03 is swung into the position shown in Figure 29, the wheels 90-93 engage with the wheels I36I39 of the actuating drum I25. When the levers 98-IOI are set, the wheels I36I39 are rotated so that the teeth I32 are set on the drum I25 in the manner described above. The wheels I36-I39 of the drum I25 are permanently n engagement with the wheels 40I404 of the printing drum 5. These wheels 40I-404 (as were the wheels 4441 in the previously described arrangement) are connected to the type carrying discs I6I9. By movement of the setting levers 98IOI, the discs I6I9 are, therefore, correspondingly set by the toothed wheels 90-93, I36 I39 and 40I404.

A lever 405 is connected to the lever I03 and, together with a spring 406 fixed to it, projects out of the top of the casing 3 through a slot 401. This slot has two notches 406 and 409 in which the spring 406 can engage. 

